Part 28

“Ikrimah has fled to Yemen out of fear that your loyal followers may put him to the sword; please give us the opportunity to thank you and grant hima safe haven. You are the standard bearer of mankind, the greatest and best of Allah Almighty’s creations. ‘Ikrimah is a useful man and I will try my

utmost to bring him to the straight path, as I am well acquainted with his habits.”

On seeing her grievous state, the Prophet 38 said:

“From this day forward ‘Ikrimah is granted safe conduct and can return. He will not be questioned or taken to task.”

Having got the guarantee of safe conduct from the Prophet 38, Umm Hakeem set out to search for ‘Ikrimah with her Roman slave. On the way this man fell a prey to lust and was tempted to have a relationship with her and began to flirt with her. Since she was an extremely intelligent and smart woman, she played for time by seeming, to give in to his advances till they reached the city of an Arab tribe. After introducing herself, she told the chieftain about the predicament in which she found herself. The chieftain was enraged at the temerity of the slave and had him bound in chains. Having gained freedom from this unexpected problem, she set out alone and finally met up with her husband on the shores of Tahamah. She told him:

“Tkrimah, believe me I have met the standard bearer of the creation of the world, the Messenger for all mankind, the perfect model of civility and the preacher of love and affection, the Prophet 38. He has displayed remarkable mercy and affection and agreed to give you a safe haven. Doubtless this is our good fortune, and we cannot thank Allah Almighty adequately for His Kindness.”

Umm Hakeem told him not to endanger himself and to take advantage of his good luck and accompany her. Her husband asked her if she had spoken to the Prophet 38 herself. She answered that she had spoken herself as she sympathised with him and was his wellbred. She wished to make his future brighter and had risked her life and faced great dangers to follow him and finally find him.

Umm Hakeem tactfully convinced him and he agreed to return with her. On their journey back she related to him the experience she had had with the Roman slave and how she had duped him and had him caught. ‘Ikrimah was furious and wanted to stop on the way to Makkah. When he saw this immoral rogue he lost his temper and killed the man, saying:

“You are a traitor who dared to take advantage of my absence and raided my home. You unfortunate creature you are mass of filthy garbage and a burden on this earth. It is far better that you are buried under this earth rather than walk upon it. You go to Hell and lick your wounds there for all of eternity.”

After dispatching this man he set out for Makkah. On the way he wished to enjoy his marital rights with his wife; she told him this would not be possible until he too accepted Islam and purified himself from the filth of paganism and polytheism. She refused to allow him to even touch her.

He was very surprised to hear this unexpected reply. He realised that a very wide gulf separating them had been created. When ‘Ikrimah and Umm Hakeem neared Makkah, the Prophet 3% told his Companions who were seated around him:

“Very soon ‘Ikrimah will arrive asa foreign Mo’min' Muslim, do not abuse his father. If you curse a dead man, you will only cause grief and pain to his surviving family members and your curses will not reach the dead man.”

And very soon ‘Ikrimah and Umm Hakeem entered the presence of the Prophet 38. When the Messenger 38 saw ‘Ikrimah he expressed great happiness and stepped forward to welcome him. He then sat down, but ‘Ikrimah remained standing respectfully, and with trembling lips said:

“Umm Hakeem tells me that you have forgiven me and given me a guarantee of safety.”

The Prophet 3 replied:

“She is indeed speaking the truth when she says that we have guaranteed your safety. Be assured that none of our followers can cause you any harm or injury. You can lead a life free of worries and fear; this is a refuge for you, where you can live in ease and happiness.”

1 A true Muslim; in words and deeds.

When ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Hisham .4% heard these affectionate words he breathed a sigh of relief and asked the Prophet in very gentle tones what he was inviting people to accept. The Prophet 3 replied:

“The crux of my teaching is that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger and Slave. This is the core and central point of my invitation to Islam.”

“Certainly all these points are based on facts. I swear by Allah Almighty that even before you started preaching you were a standard bearer of Truth and taught honesty and integrity.”

Saying this he put forward his palm and swore the oath of allegiance to Islam:

“I proclaim that none other is worthy of worship except Allah 38 and you are the Messenger of Allah Almighty.”

Then he said: “Please tell me O Prophet of Allah what I should say.”

The Prophet 3 answered that he should repeat after him the words he was about to utter:

“T bear witness that, None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger and Slave.”

Then the Prophet 3 said that he should also take an oath calling upon all those present and Allah Almighty as witnesses, that from that day forward he was a Muslim Mujahid and Mohdjir.

‘Ikrimah .g took the oath sincerely with all due earnestness. The Prophet 3% was so pleased that he said:

“Tkrimah % you may ask for anything you wish. I am prepared to give you anything that I have given any other Companion.”

‘Ikrimah bin Abi Hisham was in tears and replied,

“O Prophet of Allah 38! Please forgive all the acts of enmity and hostility which, I committed against your august person in my

past life, and also excuse me for all the opposition that | put up against you during the days when I was a disbeliever. Please pardon me for all the rude words or acts I indulged in, either in your absence or in your presence. | am very depressed, repentant and ashamed of all that I did, and am sinking in the bottomless ocean of regret; please forgive me for the sake of Allah Almighty and forget the past.”

As he kept on repeating these words he was tortured like a fish thrown out of water. Seeing his pitiable condition, the Benefactor of all Mankind, the Prophet 3, prayed:

“O Allah Almighty, please forgive ‘Ikrimah for the enmity and hostility he bore against me, and forgive his mistakes and sins committed to hinder the establishment of Your Divine World order, and the efforts he made to (Allah forbid) extinguish the spread of Divine Radiance and Light. O Allah Almighty, please forgive him for trying to malign and disgrace me either in my presence or my absence. | forgive him, please forgive him.”

The face of ‘Ikrimah # lit up with joy on hearing this supplication of the Prophet 38, and he exclaimed fervently:

”O Prophet 38, I swear by Allah Almighty, I will now spend for Allah Almighty twice the amount that I spent to prevent people from walking on the straight path of Divine Guidance. I used to fight wars to prevent people from accepting the religion of Allah Almighty, Islam. From now on I will fight with my heart and soul in the wars of Jihad to bring people to the Divine path of Allah Almighty.”

Now ‘Ikrimah was very blessing. The silvery rays of Islam had brought brightness and light into his dark life. His callousness had given way to softness and his beautiful large eyes reflected this change when tears flowed down his cheeks. There was a time when hatred and rancour against Islam were at their peak in his heart, and now Islam became the most perfect way of life in his code of values. There was a time when the aim and object of his life was to harm and

injure the Prophet of Islam 3%, and now even at a nod from him he was willing to sacrifice his life which he owed to his magnanimity and graciousness.

“Ykrimah do not do this; if you are martyred it will be a great loss for the Muslims.”

But ‘Ikrimah -#, impassioned by the spirit of Jihad, replied:

“Khalid! Please step back; you accepted Islam before me and have succeeded in attaining a lofty status. You are aware of the fact that my father and I were the strongest and worst enemies of Islam, and did not leave any stone unturned to harm and damage it. Just leave me alone today, so that I can compensate for my sins and absolve myself.”

Then in even more impassioned tones he said:

“How can I, who have been most active in many situations in opposing our beloved Prophet 3% and his loyal followers, turn my back on the Romans and flee, can never be and is absolutely impossible.”

Then he asked in loud and inspiring tones, who would that day swear loyalty to death? Moved by his fervent appeal, his paternal uncle, Harith bin Hisham, and four hundred other loyalist of Islam swore fealty on his palm.